A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Amman vs. Cuenca for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Amman or Cuenca?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Amman and Cuenca. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Amman or Cuenca?

Amman

Amman is the largest city in of the Hashemite Kingdom of the country of Jordan. It is also the capital city of Jordan and has a population of over four million people. Many people use Amman as a base for venturing out into the rest of Jordan and other surrounding countries. There are many things to see and do in Amman.

Cuenca

Cuenca is a vibrant colonial city in southern Ecuador, the third largest in the country, and the capital of Azuay Province. Cuenca is considered as Ecuador's most important and beautiful colonial city after Quito. Dating from the 16th century, Cuenca's historic center, a Unesco World Heritage Site with its trademark skyline of massive rotundas and soaring steeples, is a magical sight in which you will feel like you are moving back in time. Cuenca is the center of many craft traditions, including ceramics, metalwork and the internationally famous panama hat. The nearby villages also offer many other handicrafts. Tourists enjoy wandering the ancient streets discovering picturesque alleys and hidden corners, where nuns march along cobblestone streets and kids in Catholic-school uniforms skip past historic churches. Fascinating historic monuments and fabulous views are found at every turn. Cuenca also has outstanding art museums and festivals. For a rewarding cultural experience, visit during Easter to attend the Festival of Religious Music.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.


Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or Amman?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Amman is $135, while the average daily cost in Cuenca is $53. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Amman and Cuenca in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Amman $49
    Cuenca $13
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Amman $98
    Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Amman and Cuenca

Looking for a hotel in Amman or Cuenca? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Amman


Hotels in Cuenca


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Amman Hotel Prices and Cuenca Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Amman $24
    Cuenca $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amman

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amman:


  • Bus Ride (for Two)
    $0.71
  • RIde to Airport
    $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amman

Also for Amman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer from/To King Hussein Border: $45
  • Airport Transfer To The Dead Sea: $51
  • Airport Transfer To and From Amman: $23
  • Airport pickup or drop off transfer from or to Amman city: $63
  • Amman Airport Private Departure Transfer: $27
  • Amman Airport Private Transfer: $34
  • Amman Airport Private Transfer To Amman: $20
  • Amman Airport Private Transfer To Amman: $25
  • Amman Airport Private Transfer To Amman: $40
  • Amman Airport Private Transfer To Multiple Destinations : $40
  • Amman Airport Transfer to/from Multi Destinations: $55
  • Amman Airport Transfer vice versa: $21

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cuenca

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cuenca:


  • Taxi Ride
    $2.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cuenca

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cuenca:

  • Cuenca to/from Guayaquil Private Transfer: $80
  • Cuenca Airport Transfer: $13

Is it cheaper to fly into Amman or Cuenca?

Prices for flights to both Cuenca and Amman change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Amman $58
    Cuenca $26
Typical Food Prices in Amman

For Amman, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Pastries
    $4.23
  • Tea
    $5.64

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amman

For Amman, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Guided Food Tour in Downtown: $70
  • Women-Led Food Tour Through Amman’s Culinary Scene: $80
  • The Best Culture&Food Tour With Majd The Local Guide: $81
  • Amman Food Tours: 3-Hours Guided Walking Food Tour in Amman: $106
  • Private Panoramic Amman Tour and Local Lunch or Dinner-Wine Taste: $107
  • Traditional Cooking Class in Amman with Return Hotel Transfers: $118
  • Private Jordan Heritage Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with Arak Experience: $140

Typical Food Prices in Cuenca

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cuenca:


  • Lunch
    $10
  • Snacks
    $5.00
  • Empanada
    $1.50
  • Hot Dog
    $1.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cuenca

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cuenca.

  • Street food Tour in Cuenca,Ecuador: $33
  • Cooking Class & Market Tour in Cuenca: $55
  • Experience Ecuador: Join an Andean Cooking Class in Cuenca: $85
  • Private Cooking Class: $125

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Amman $32
    Cuenca $16

Tours and Activities in Amman

For Amman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Discover the hidden gems of Amman's Rainbow street on a self-guided audio tour: $5.00
  • Amman Shopping Private Tour: $20
  • Amman Private City Tour: $20
  • Tree of Al Buqayawiyya and Seven Sleepers Cave Private Tour : $30
  • Full Day Madaba Mount Nebo Baptism and Dead Sea Private Tour: $35
  • Private Sightseeing City Tour: $38
  • Amman Heritage Walk: A Private City Center Tour: $40
  • Sightseeing Tour in Heart of Amman downtown: $40
  • Private Walking Tour in Madaba with Local Guide: $41
  • Amman Heritage Tour: Street Food, Local Culture & Art: $44
  • Full Day Amman Private Luxury City Tour: $45
  • Madaba Mount Nebo and Baptism Private Guided Tour: $45

Tours and Activities in Cuenca

Here are a few actual costs in Cuenca for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Cuenca-Ec- Highlights City Tour : $16
  • Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $47
  • Azuay Cuenca Ecuador Tour: $1,300
  • Biking Cuenca City Tour: $50
  • Birdwatching Tour Cajas Park and Tamarindo Tropical Forest area from Cuenca: $130
  • Birdwatching Tour in Cajas National Park from Cuenca: $100
  • Birdwatching Tour, Via Gualaceo to the Eastern slope from Cuenca: $130
  • Cajas National Park FULL-DAY Tour from Cuenca: $55
  • Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $39
  • Cajas National Park Small-Group tour from Cuenca: $48
  • Cajas National Park and Cuenca City private Tour: $110
  • Complete excursion Ingapirca & Gualaceo Chordeleg Tour Archaeological Artisanal: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Amman $14
    Cuenca $14

Sample the Local Flavors in Amman

Also in Amman, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Private Wine Tasting Tour in Amman and Boulevard Walking Tour: $93
  • Full Day Tour of Ajloun Castle with Cable Car and Wine Tasting : $127


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Amman and Cuenca, we can see that Amman is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Amman is in Middle East and Cuenca is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Cuenca would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cuenca and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Amman would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amman than you might in Cuenca.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Amman Expensive? and Is Cuenca Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Amman or Cuenca?

Amman has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Cuenca. When comparing the sizes of Amman and Cuenca, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Amman or Cuenca?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Amman or Cuenca in the Summer?

Both Cuenca and Amman during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Amman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.

Amman usually gets less rain in July than Cuenca. Amman gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Amman is a little warmer than Cuenca in the summer. The daily temperature in Amman averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Cuenca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Amman 25°C (77°F) 
    Cuenca 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Amman or Cuenca in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Amman and Cuenca. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Amman year-round. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Amman usually receives less rain than Cuenca. Amman gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

In the autumn, Amman is much warmer than Cuenca. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Amman in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Cuenca averages at about 12°C (54°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Amman 20°C (68°F) 
    Cuenca 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Amman or Cuenca in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Amman as well as Cuenca. Amman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.

Amman receives a lot of rain in the winter. Amman usually gets more rain in January than Cuenca. Amman gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Cuenca can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Amman is generally much warmer than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Amman average around 8°C (46°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Amman 8°C (46°F) 
    Cuenca 4°C (39°F)

Should I visit Amman or Cuenca in the Spring?

Both Cuenca and Amman are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Amman throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Amman usually receives less rain than Cuenca. Amman gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Amman is much warmer than Cuenca in the spring. The daily temperature in Amman averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Cuenca fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Amman 16°C (61°F) 
    Cuenca 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Cuenca and Amman

Amman Cuenca
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 8°C (46°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 4°C (39°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Feb 9°C (48°F) 98 mm (3.9 in) 6°C (43°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 8°C (46°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
Apr 16°C (61°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 10°C (50°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
May 21°C (70°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 14°C (57°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Jun 24°C (75°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 20°C (68°F) 26 mm (1 in) 12°C (54°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Nov 14°C (57°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 7°C (45°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Dec 10°C (50°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 5°C (41°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)